Sophie Germain Facts

There is little doubt that Sophie Germain became one of the most famous mathematicians in the world in the late 1800s, even though, at that time, she pretended to be a man because it was not permitted for women to pursue intellectual careers.

Sophie Germain is also the first woman to receive the Paris Academy of Sciences prize for her theory of surface vibrations. She is not only the first woman but the first ever to receive a prize from the Paris Academy of Sciences for her theory of surface vibrations.

The following post will give you the opportunity to learn about some of Sophie Germain facts, Sophie Germain theorem, and her contributions to mathematics.

Sophie German Facts

• As a child, Marie-Sophie Germain was one of three children who were born to Germain’s parents in 1776 in Paris, France
• At the beginning of 1789, Sophia Germain was only 13 years old, and during the time when France was undergoing the French Revolution, the atmosphere in Paris was quite explosive, so she was forced to stay indoors for the duration
• She learned the basics of mathematics by perusing various books on the subject that her father had at his house and sometimes by dipping into her father’s knowledge of the subject when she was having trouble
• It was not too long ago when the newly founded Ecole Polytechnique decided it would be in the best interests of students if they were taught mathematics. The woman was allowed to attend Polytechnic as a student even though the rules stipulated that women were not allowed to attend the school. The mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange, who is at the institute as a mathematician, became her mentor and guide. She used the pseudonym M LeBlanc in order for people to not realise that she was a woman when conveying her correspondence with him.

Sophie Germain Theorem

• Sophie Germain became interested in number theory in 1798, the same year she began studying mathematics, after the publication of the book ‘Theorie des Nombres’ by the French mathematician Adrien-Marie Legendre. In addition to Germain’s initial ideas on number theory and other topics, the woman who sent her own thoughts was also Nally, who sent her own ideas on the topic. Additionally, the ideas that she offered were incorporated into the mathematician’s original text for the second edition of his original book, as well as providing the mathematician with mathematical ideas for his second edition.
• As a consequence of reading Carl Friedrich Gauss’ “Disquisitiones Arithmeticae” and considering his position on Fermat’s Last Theorem, Sophie Germain wrote him a letter regarding her insight into Fermat’s Last Theorem. She was inspired by Carl Friedrich Gauss’ work, which she discovered was titled “Disquisitiones Arithmeticae”. According to many of the people who claim to have heard about Germain’s theories, including those that claim she never heard back from Gauss about her theories, Germain’s theories have been called into question as they are not supported by any evidence.

Sophie Germain Contributions to Mathematics

Mathematics has played a significant role in society due to the presence of mathematicians such as Sophie Germain. As the most important figure in number theory, she is known for her pioneering work in number theory, as well as her proof of Fermat’s last theorem.

Sophie Germain lived in an era when women were discouraged from pursuing scientific endeavours because it was seen as a male-only pursuit. The mathematical achievements she made in her life as a mathematician, despite the fact that she was a woman, were not rewarded with any prize since it was her first one. A number of notable achievements were made by Francis Bouillon during her lifetime, but one of the most cherished accomplishments was a Mathematical Prize she was awarded in 1931 by the French Academy of Prizes, as acknowledged by the award. As her prize was somewhat of a prize given to her for winning a competition, but she did not get to keep it entirely for herself, it could be considered as a prize you won.

Conclusion

In the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, Sophie Germain was interred. Between the resting place of the great mathematician Archimedes and her resting place, there exists an unusual resonance. In the years following Archimedes’ burial, the tomb of Archimedes became in disrepair. 

When Cicero, the Roman Governor of Sicily, saw the state of weeds in the park, he ordered the bushes to be removed, and the park was soon left in pristine condition. Similar to Germain’s grave, Germain’s grave fell into disrepair and was rediscovered and rebuilt after a period of time. Germain’s grave is still to be found in Paris, although Archimedes’ tomb is now lost.